Page 444 - Construction Waterproofing Handbook

10.46 CHAPTER TEN
Field construction is predicated on bringing numerous crafts together into the comple-
tion of a structure. Too often, these crafts are supervised and inspected independently of
one another, without regard for coordinating their work into a solidarity effort.
Quality of field construction must be expanded to monitor and supervise the successful
installation of transitions and terminations of envelope components. Project plans and
specifications by the architect and engineer must clearly detail the responsibility for this
work. Contractors must then take the responsibility for supervising and coordinating proper
installations. Building owners must implement maintenance programs required throughout
envelope life-cycling.
Any intrusion of water and weather at any envelope detail will create further problems
by compounding itself. Leakage promotes deterioration of substrates and structural rein-
forcement that begins and accelerates throughout the entire process. Each cause feeds the
other: further leakage causes further deterioration, further deterioration causes further
leakage, resulting in eventual building envelope failure, damaging the structure and interi-
or contents.
Such action results in the lawsuits, wasted energy, increased repair costs, loss of rev-
enue, and inconvenience to tenants so frequent in the construction industry. Applying the
1/90% principle prevents these situations.